Factor

A factor is an intermediary agent that finances receivables. A factor is essentially a funding source that agrees to pay the company the value of an invoice less a discount for commission and fees.

The factor advances most of the invoiced amount to the company immediately and the balance upon receipt of funds from the invoiced party. There are three parties directly involved a transaction involving a factor: the factor, who purchases the receivable; the seller of the receivable; and the debtor, who must make a payment to the owner of the invoice.

A factor allows a business to obtain immediate capital based on the future income attributed to a particular amount due on an account receivable or business invoice. Accounts receivable (AR) function as a record of money customers owe for sales made on credit. Factoring allows other interested parties to purchase the funds due at a discounted price in exchange for providing cash up front.

The terms and conditions set by a factor may vary depending on their internal practices. Most commonly, factoring is performed through third-party financial institutions, referred to as factors. Factors often release funds associated with newly purchased accounts receivable within 24 hours. Repayment terms can vary depending on the amount involved. Additionally, the percentage of funds provided for the particular account receivables, referred to as the advance rate, can also vary.

Assume a factor has agreed to purchase an invoice of $1 million from Clothing Manufacturers Inc., representing outstanding receivables from Behemoth Co. The factor negotiates to discount the invoice by 4% and will advance $720,000 to Clothing Manufacturers Inc. The balance of $240,000 will be forwarded by the factor to Clothing Manufacturers Inc. upon receipt of the $1 million accounts receivable invoice for Behemoth Co. The factor's fees and commissions from this factoring deal amount to $40,000.

The factor is more concerned with the creditworthiness of the invoiced party, Behemoth Co., rather than the company from which it has purchased the receivables. Although factoring is a relatively expensive form of financing, factors provide a valuable service to companies that operate in industries where it takes a long time to convert receivables to cash and to companies that are growing rapidly and need cash to take advantage of new business opportunities.